And the fishermen came back across the water
And the people started running in the park
And the city stopped, as I held you in my arms
We could hear the sound of sirens all around us
And the scent of burning oil was in the air
And the music played
And it felt so good to hear

This is the life we've been given
So open your mind and start living
We can play a part if we only start believing

There's a stranger on the hill and he is speaking
As the tear from every cloud begin to fall
For one moment then, we understood it all

Everyone, everyone, can you hear the soldiers coming
Everyone, everyone, every man and every women
We all fall, in the end we're just miracles of matter
So come on, let me love you

This is the life we've been given
So open your mind and start living
We can play a part if we only start believing
This is the life we've been given
So open your heart and start loving
We can make a start if we only learn to listen

Then the crowd began to head for the horizon
A million people walking back to work
But you and me, we just lay down in the garden
Yeah you and me, we just lay down in the garden

This is the life we've been given
So open your heart and start loving
We can make a start if we only learn to listen

Today is the first day of spring, so of course it snowed. This is to keep us from getting too cocky. Also, weather is mean. To pass the time while we wait for real spring weather to hit, let's look at a particularly strange urban legend about today

MARCH 20TH IS the first day of spring, or vernal equinox, as astronomers would have it. "Equinox" means, literally, "equal night." As the angle of the earth's inclination toward the sun changes throughout the year, lengthening or shortening the days according to season and hemisphere, there are two times annually when day and night are of roughly equal duration: the spring and autumnal equinoxes. These celestial "tipping points" have been recognized for thousands of years and have given rise to a considerable body of

Eostra > Estrogen > Easter

Throughout human history, spring has been celebrated as a time of organic and spiritual rebirth following the "dying of the year" in winter. The ancient Germanic festival of Ostara (in honor of the goddess also known as Eostra, from whose name the word estrogen was derived) celebrated the cyclical return of light and life with fertility rituals and symbols, some of which still survive in the modern observance of Easter (also derived from "Eostra"), which traditionally falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox.

Eggs in the balance

The egg being the most literal and obvious of all fertility symbols, ancient eggish customs survive not only in the form of egg rolling and Easter eggs, but also in the quaint superstitious belief, most often attributed to the Chinese, that you can stand a raw egg on end during the equinox. Apparently this derives from the notion that, due to the sun's equidistant position between the poles of the earth on the first day of spring, special gravitational forces apply.

For skeptics, the first objection that comes to mind is that there's another equinox on the first day of autumn — why does no one speak of balancing eggs on end in September? Secondly, while it's true that on both equinoxes the earth's axis is perpendicular to the sun so day and night are of equal length, there's no scientific reason to suppose that such an alignment has any effect on gravitational forces here on earth. Thirdly, if the equinox can cause this curious anomaly, why aren't there others? Why don't we hear talk of being able to stand broomsticks, pencils, lollipops, or toothpicks on end?

A few grains of salt

It can be done, by the way — balancing eggs, I mean — but the trick takes lots of patience, eggs of just the right shape, a pinch of salt if all else fails... and, frankly, it doesn't matter what day of the year you attempt it.

The Bad Astronomy home page rightly condemns all this equinox-egg-balancing folderol as unscientific hooey, but don't let that stop you from gathering friends and family around to try it out yourself. At the risk of being boiled and dyed for heresy, I daresay there is more to life than science.

I would like to begin by …. Я хотел бы начать с …
I would like to make a few remarks concerning … Я хотел бы сделать несколько замечаний относительно…
I would like to comment on the problem of … Я хотел бы высказать свое мнение по проблеме …
I would like to mention briefly that … Я бы хотел кратко упомянуть о ….
There are three points I’d like to make Есть три вопроса, на которые я хотел обратить ваше внимание
The most important points seem to me to be … Наиболее важными вопросами, на мой взгляд, являются…
Ordering
Упорядочивание

I would now like to turn briefly to the problem of … Теперь я бы хотел обратиться вкратце к проблеме ….
The next issue I would like to focus on is … Следующий вопрос на котором я хотел бы сконцентрироваться… (обратить Ваше внимание…)
Turning to … Обращаясь к …
Adding
Добавление

Let others lead small lives, but not you. Let others argue over small things, but not you. Let others cry over small hurts, but not you. Let others leave their future in someone else's hands, but not you. Jim Rohn

Adjective: Long
Meaning 1: having a large distance from one end to the other
Example: It's a long way to travel to work.
It's a very long book with over 5000 pages.

Meaning 2: continuing for a large amount of time
Examples: It was a long meeting.
Have you been waiting a long time?

Meaning 3: used when asking for or giving information about the distance or time of something
Examples: It's about three metres long.
Do you know how long the film is?

Adverb: Long
Meaning 1: for a long time
Example: We didn't have to wait long for the train.

Meaning 2: As Long As - used when you are talking about something that must happen before something else can happen
Example: You can play football as long as you do your homework first.

Meaning 3: before long = soon
Example: He'll be home before long.

Meaning 4: no longer/not any longer = not now
Example: He no longer has trouble speaking English.

Noun: Long
Meaning: a large amount of time
Example: She won't be on holiday for long.

Verb: Long
Meaning: if you long to do something, this means that you want to do something very much. If you long for something, this means that you want something very much.
Examples: She longed to see him again.
She longed for her holiday.

1 Hello, could I speak to James Davis, please?
- I’m afraid he’s at lunch. Can I take a message?
- Could you tell him that Jo Hall called, please?
. .
Style: formal
Notes:
1. could I speak to …, please?
2. I’m afraid he’s at lunch = I’m sorry but he’s having lunch
3. called = telephoned
4. Could you tell him that… = Please tell him that…
.
2 Hello, this is Jo Hall. Is James Davis there, please?
- I’m afraid he’s still not back from lunch. Shall I get him to ring you back when he comes in?
- Yes, please.
.
Style: general
Notes:
1. this is = I am (on the telephone)
2. I’m afraid he’s still not back from lunch = I’m sorry to tell you that he hasn’t returned from lunch yet
3. to ring you back = to return your call
4. comes in = arrives here

3 Hello, could I speak to Jo Hall?
- I’m afraid she’s away from her desk at present.
- Could you tell her this is James Davis returning her call?
- Certainly.
.
Style: formal
Notes:
1. away from her desk = not sitting at her desk
2. at present = now (less formal)
3. this is James Davis returning her call = I am James Davis and I am telephoning her because she telephoned me earlier
4. Certainly. = Of course..

4 Hello, could you put me through to James Davis please?
- Certainly. Oh sorry, the line’s engaged. Would you like to hold?
- Yes please.
.
Style: formal
Notes:
1. put me through to = connect me (on the telephone)
2. the line’s engaged = the telephone line is busy
3. Would you like to hold? = Would you like to wait (on the telephone)
.

5 - James, this is Jo.
- Hi, I’ve been trying to call you.
- I know. Would you like to meet for dinner tonight?
- I’d love to. What time shall we meet?
- Around eight thirty (8.30 p.m.)?
.
Style: informal
Notes:
1. I’ve been trying to call you = I have tried to telephone you more than once
2. I’d love to. = That would be very nice.
3. Around eight thirty (8.30 p.m.)? = About eight thirty (8.30 p.m.)?
.

Social dialogues: in the restaurant
1 Do you fancy going out for dinner sometime this week? There’s a great, new Thai restaurant nearby we could try.
- I’d love to go for dinner, but to be honest I’m not that keen on Thai food.
- Well, it doesn’t have to be Thai. How about Italian?
- Perfect.
.
Situation: Arranging dinner
Style: informal
.
Functions:
1. Inviting: Do you fancy going out for dinner sometime this week? (note: please copy the tone and emphasis carefully here.)
2. Introducing a negative comment: to be honest…
3. Expressing likes and dislikes: I’m not that keen on Thai food.
4. Suggesting: How about Italian? (note: please copy the tone and emphasis carefully here.)

Notes:
1. Do you fancy…? = Would you like to…? (more formal)
2. going out (phrasal verb) for dinner = going to a restaurant for dinner
3. sometime this week = on a day or evening this week
4. There’s a great, new Thai restaurant nearby we could try. (omitting the relative pronoun ‘that’ or ‘which’) = There’s a great, new Thai restaurant nearby that/which we could try.
5. nearby = near here / near there
6. I’d love to go = I would love to go
7. to be honest = frankly (more formal)
8. I’m not that keen on Thai food = I don’t like Thai food very much
9. How about Italian? = What about Italian food?

2 I’ve booked a table for 7 p.m. tomorrow at that Italian restaurant I mentioned. It’s just round the corner from where you work. Shall we meet there or would you rather meet for a drink somewhere else first?
- Why don’t we have a quick drink at the Red Lion pub first?
.
Situation discussing a dinner arrangement
Style: informal
.
Functions:
1. Arranging to meet: Shall we meet there or would you rather meet for a drink somewhere else first? (note: please copy the tone and emphasis carefully here.)
2. Suggesting: Why don’t we have a quick drink at the Red Lion pub first? (note: please copy the tone and emphasis carefully here.)

Notes:
1. I’ve booked a table = I have reserved a table
2. that Italian restaurant I mentioned (omitting the relative pronoun ‘that’ or ‘which’) = that Italian restaurant that/which I mentioned
3. just round the corner from (idiom) = very near to
4. where you work = your place of work (more formal) / the place where you work
5. would you rather meet…? = would you prefer to meet…?
6. somewhere else = in another place
7. the Red Lion pub = the pub called the Red Lion (a pub is a traditional English bar that serves drink and sometimes food)

3 How old do you reckon this pub is?
- It must be at least three hundred (300) years old.
- Anyway, what can I get you to drink?
- Oh no, let me get them. You bought the drinks last time we were out.
- OK, thank you. I’ll have half a pint of Guinness, please.
.
Situation: making conversation in a pub
Style: informal
.
Functions:
1. Asking for a guess: How old do you reckon this pub is?
2. Making an assumption: It must be at least three hundred (300) years old. (note: please copy the tone and emphasis very carefully.)
3. Changing the subject: Anyway,…
4. Offering to buy a drink: what can I get you to drink? (note: please copy the tone and emphasis very carefully.)
5. Insisting on buying the drinks: Oh no, let me get them. (note: please copy the tone and emphasis very carefully.)

Notes:
1. do you reckon (very informal) = do you think
2. It must be… = I guess it is…
3. at least = a minimum of
4. what can I get you to drink = what would you like to drink? (more formal)
5. let me get them = Please allow me to buy them (more formal)
6. last time we were out (omitting the relative pronoun ‘that’)= the last time that we were out
7. we were out (phrasal verb) = we were in a pub, restaurant or bar together
8. half a pint of Guinness= a small drink of Guinness (Beer is sold in pints and half pints in the UK. 1 litre = 2.2 pints)
9. Guinness = Irish black beer (black beer is called Stout)

4 Great choice of restaurant! Everything on this menu sounds absolutely delicious. I can’t decide what to have.
- I know, it’s a tough one! I can’t choose between the Calzone with goat’s cheese and wild mushrooms and the Lobster Linguine.
- Shall we order some wine while we make up our minds?
.
Situation: dinner in a restaurant
Style: general
.
Functions:
1. Approving of a choice: Great choice of restaurant! (note: please copy the tone and emphasis very carefully.)
2. Talking about a difficult decision: it’s a tough one!
3. Trying to choose: I can’t choose between…and
4. Making a suggestion: Shall we order some wine… (note: please copy the tone and emphasis very carefully.)

Notes:
1. Great choice of restaurant! = I really like the restaurant that you chose!
2. absolutely delicious= extremely tasty
3. what to have = what I should have to eat
4. it’s a tough one! = It’s a very difficult decision! (more formal)
5. Shall we order some wine…? = Why don’t we order some wine…?
6. make up our minds (idiom) = decide (more formal)

5
- How’s your Lobster Linguine? Is it as good as you expected it to be?
- Yes, it’s gorgeous. My only complaint would be that there’s a bit too much cream so it’s rather rich. What about your Calzone?
- Well, to be honest, it’s not quite as good as it sounded. It could do with a bit more goat’s cheese.
.
Situation: discussing the food in a restaurant
Style: general
.
Functions:
1. Emphasising that there is just one thing wrong: My only complaint would be that there’s a bit too much cream (note: please copy the tone and emphasis very carefully.)
2. Introducing a negative comment: Well, to be honest, it’s not quite as good as it sounded. (note: please copy the tone and emphasis very carefully.)
3. Softening a negative comment: a bit more goat’s cheese.
4. Explaining what something needs: It could do with a bit more goat’s cheese.

Notes:
1. How’s your Lobster Linguine? = What is your Lobster Linguine like?
2. as good as you expected it to be = as good as you thought it would be
3. gorgeous = very tasty / beautiful
4. My only complaint would be = my only complaint is (more direct/stronger)
5. it’s rather rich = it’s quite heavy and oily
6. What about your Calzone? = What is your Calzone like?
7. to be honest, = frankly (more formal)
8. it’s not quite as good as it sounded = it sounded better on the menu than it actually tastes
9. could do with (phrasal verb) = needs
10. a bit more goat’s cheese = a little more goat’s cheese / slightly more goat’s cheese (more formal

1 -OK, shall we make a start?
-I’m glad you could all make it, particularly at such short notice.
-As you know we’ve run into a few problems with the new system we’ve been developing as a replacement for the existing one.
-What I’d like us to do in this meeting is to go over all the stages we’ve covered to date, and come up with some ideas as to why these problems may have arisen.
...
Situation: starting a meeting
Style: brisk and professional
Notes:
1. shall we make a start? = Shall we begin? (more formal)
2. I’m glad you could all make it, = I am glad that you were all able to attend (more formal)
3. particularly at such short notice = especially as this meeting was called at very short notice
4. we’ve run into (phrasal verb) a few problems = we have encountered a few problems (more formal)
5. the new system we’ve been developing (omitting the relative pronoun ‘that’ or ‘which’) = the new system that/which we have been developing
6. What I’d like us to do in this meeting is… = In this meeting, I would like us to…
7. go over (phrasal verb) all the stages = review all the stages
8. the stages we’ve covered (omitting the relative pronoun ‘that’ or ‘which’) = the stages that/which we have covered
9. to date (idiom) = so far
10. come up with (phrasal verb) some ideas = think of some ideas / have some ideas
11. as to why = regarding why (more formal)
12. these problems may have arisen. = these problems had the possibility of occurring (note: we never actually say it like this!)

2
.- Can I just interrupt a moment?
- I think we also need to go back over exactly how the new system differs from the old, so as to pinpoint what we need to do in terms of integration.
- I thought we already had, actually.
- I don’t think we have yet to enough of an extent. My feeling is that we haven’t taken enough account of the nitty gritty of how the two databases will merge.
- Sorry, John, I’m not quite with you.
.
Situation: a business meeting
Style: general
...
Notes:
1. to go back over (phrasal verb) = to review
2. differs from the old = is different from
3. the old (omitting the noun) = the old system
4. so as to = in order to (more formal)
5. pinpoint what we need to do = find exactly what we need to do
6. in terms of integration. = when it comes to integration / regarding integration.
7. I thought we already had (omitting the main verb) = I thought we had already gone back over how the new system differs…
8. I don’t think we have yet (omitting the main verb) = I don’t think we have done this yet
9. to enough of an extent = as much as we need to
10. My feeling is that (note: there is extra stress is on the word ‘my’.)= In my view (more formal) / In my opinion
11. we haven’t taken enough account of = We have not taken into consideration enough
12. the nitty gritty = the small, fine details
13. I’m not quite with you. = I don’t completely understand what you mean

3
- What I mean is it’s as if we are developing the new system too much in isolation from the existing one, the result being whenever we run tests to see how the new database will deal with the functions of the current one, we are basically asking it do something it hasn’t been designed for.
- So if I understand you correctly, you’re saying we got it wrong somewhere at the early planning stage.
- I’m afraid so.
.
Situation: a business meeting
Style: general
...

Notes:
1. What I mean is = I mean,…
2. the result being = with the result that… (more formal)
3. whenever we run tests = every time we perform tests (more formal)
4. something it hasn’t been designed for (omitting the relative pronoun ‘that’ or ‘which’) = something that/which it has not been designed for / something for which it has not been designed (much more formal)
5. if I understand you correctly, you’re saying… = I think you mean… (less formal)
6. we got it wrong = we made a mistake (stronger)
7. at the early planning stage. = at the beginning of this project, when we had just started planning it
8. I’m afraid so. = Yes, I am afraid I think we got it wrong.

4 So are you saying that we should basically go back to the drawing board? I think it’s a bit late for that, to be honest.
- No, not at all. But I’m concerned that it doesn’t seem to be performing in the way we had in mind when we finalised the spec back in early March.
- OK, so how would you say we get round this then?
.
Situation: a business meeting
Style: general
Notes:
1. So are you saying that we should basically… = So do you mean we need to…
2. go back to the drawing board (idiom) = return to the very early planning stage and re-think the whole project
3. I think it’s a bit late for that, = I don’t think we can do this now because it is too late
4. to be honest. = in all honesty / frankly (stronger)
5. No, not at all. = No, I don’t think so at all
6. But I’m concerned that = But my concern is…
7. performing in the way we had in mind = performing in the way we envisaged (more formal)
8. when we finalised the spec = when we agreed on the final specifications of the system (more formal)
9. back in early March = at the beginning of March
10. how would you say = how do you think
11. we get round (phrasal verb) this = we solve this problem
.
5
- Well, I’ve been giving it quite a bit of thought over the last week and I’m convinced the whole problem stems from one fairly simple and reversible flaw in the system coding. My view is that it should be fixable in under a week.
- Great, could you please let me have a brief report on that by tomorrow morning?
- Yes, I will, and I’ll do my best to get it to you earlier if I can.
.
Situation: a business meeting
Style: general
....
Notes:
1. I’ve been giving it quite a bit of thought = I have been thinking about it a great deal (more formal)
2. over the last week = In the 7 days before now (note: we never actually say it like this!)
3. I’m convinced = I am sure
4. stems from = is caused by
5. reversible flaw = fault that can be reversed
6. My view is that = In my view
7. it should be fixable = I expect that we will be able to fix it
8. in under a week = in less than a week
9. could you please let me have = Please give me
10. Yes, I will (short answer using auxiliary verb) = yes, I will let you have a report
11. I’ll do my best = I will make every effort (more formal)
12. to get it to you earlier = to deliver the report to you earlier
13. if I can. = if possible